Pray Always

This week there are two things that have really stood out for me. 

The first is found in Enos 1:2 "And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins."  I found myself wanting to understand what Enos meant by wrestling before God.  Did he mean he didn't want to change his ways?  In Alma 8:10 "Nevertheless Alma labored much in the spirit, wrestling with God in mighty prayer, that he would pour out his Spirit upon the people..."  This scripture is a reference for wrestle in the first scripture, so that would lead to the understanding that Enos was not wrestling with God, but with himself,  he was struggling with himself on how to show God that he was truly repentant and willing to make changes in his life.  I have made this my "Ponderize" scripture this week.  Asking myself, do I "wrestle"? Am I truly repentant and willing to make changes that I need to make?

The second thing really builds on the first.  With each Book of Mormon lesson we are given eight excerpts from talks related to the scriptures we are studying that week.  One of these was a small piece of Elder David A. Bednar's talk Pray Always, from October 2008, General Conference.  I had to go read the entire talk and gained more insight into prayer.  Elder Bednar offer three points.

Principle #1. Prayer becomes more meaningful as we counsel with the Lord in all our doings (see Alma 37:37).

Elder Bednar states, "There may be things in our character, in our behavior, or concerning our spiritual growth about which we need to counsel with Heavenly Father in morning prayer. After expressing appropriate thanks for blessings received, we plead for understanding, direction, and help to do the things we cannot do in our own strength alone."  We then we keep that prayer with us throughout the day. Throughout the day we will find ourselves more able to not get upset or angry at things that we might normally  get upset or angry with.  At that time we offer a silent prayer of thanksgiving and recognize the Lord's hand in our life.  Then at the end of the day, we report back to our Heavenly Father going over the events of the day and thanking him again for all that he does for us, we also repent and ask for Heavenly Father to help us to do better tomorrow.  Thus, we set a cycle that one prayer builds on the other.

Principle #2. Prayer becomes more meaningful as we express heartfelt gratitude.

This one I have learned and heard so much about gratitude.  One of my classmates stated this last week that they had read that to develop any other Christ-like attribute we must first develop gratitude.  Gratitude is the cornerstone of a Christ centered life.  Elder Bednar says that our most meaningful and spiritual prayers are one that we express only gratitude and ask for nothing.

Principle #3. Prayer becomes more meaningful as we pray for others with real intent and a sincere heart.

Elder Bednar states "Petitioning Heavenly Father for the blessings we desire in our personal lives is good and proper. However, praying earnestly for others, both those whom we love and those who despitefully use us, is also an important element of meaningful prayer. Just as expressing gratitude more often in our prayers enlarges the conduit for revelation, so praying for others with all of the energy of our souls increases our capacity to hear and to heed the voice of the Lord."

I think it is easy to pray for those that I love, but where I know I need work is praying for those "who despitefully use" me.  The scriptures tell us that the Savior prayed for those that were unkind to him, therefore, I need to do the same.  Elder Bednar also talks about the feeling of great joy that the Nephites felt when the Savoir visited them American continent and prayed to Heavenly Father on their behalf.  He goes on to ask if our family and loved one feel the power of our prayers offered to Heavenly Father on their behalf?  If not we should repent for this and follow the example of the Savior.

Elder Bednar concludes that we are commanded to "prayer always".  We should prayer both vocally and with a prayer in our hearts.  

So how does this all tie into my "Becoming" project you ask?  Well, one of the items on my "To Do" list is to pray both morning and night and ask for Heavenly Father's help.  This has given me new insight as to how I might change my prayers, to wrestle with myself, to counsel with the Lord, to express heartfelt gratitude and pray for others with real intent and a sincere heart.  I have started doing these things this week.  And I can see the Lord's hand in my efforts.  Each day, I recognize where he carried me through a situation that I might have handled differently if I did not have His influence with me.  Each day I express my gratitude to Him.  

Since this coming week is Thanksgiving, I think it is only appropriate that I end by expressing my gratitude for my husband, my children and grandchildren, my extended family, my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a loving Prophet, inspired church leaders, many Stake Presidents who have blessed and touched my life, Bishops who work tirelessly and serve for many years in my ward, my callings, the Bible, the Book of Mormon, my friends, my ward members, all those who serve in callings and serve the Lord, my home, my health, my job, my car, the food that we have to eat, my talents, the Pathway program, my ability to learn, my dogs, my cat, the cleansing rain, my freedom, the man and women who protect and pay for my freedom, my instructors, the missionaries and most of all my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ.